Virtual protests and virtual anger...

I hear time and time again here on DU people wondering why there isn't more people out raged and in the streets protesting our government.

Could it be, and I'm only postulating here, that that rise of the internet and it's power to basically give everyone and anyone a voice to spew out their views, positive or negative, has acted as sort of a vent and has blunted protests?

Certainly it's the reason why newspaper circulation is down. It's also the reason, in my opinion, the MSM has become completely sensationalist in it's broadcasting because it has to now try and compete with internet news that is updated by the minute. So they use false controversy and shiny objects to keep peoples attention.

We all get angry and pissed off at the government* and I know I come on here and write my posts to sometimes blow off some steam so I don't go crazy.

Just think, however, if there was no internet, no immediate area to express your disdain for our current state of politics, what would you do? Would you protest more? Would you be more active in a public forum? Would you stand on a soap box on a street corner voicing your opinion in hopes of informing the public? Would you march more? would you stage sit ins? Would there be, like in the 1960's and 70's, happenings?

How would we express our anger? Our frustration? our simple disbelief that our rights have been ripped away from us without so much as a thought to repercussions?

Blogging has served as a major source of information. Many an excellent internet news organization has arisen due to this failed administration*. A brilliant pool of journalists and reporters have found a voice because of this medium, but yet, there are still no rioting protests in the streets.

We have virtual petitions, virtual protests and virtual sit ins, but it is we who still cheer on those who do them for real, however minor, however infrequent and the majority don't join in ourselves (purely supposition).

Ironically, I'm here to complain about a medium that give me a voice when I had none. I write my views because I'm frustrated by the overwhelming apathy in todays society. Yet, I'm apathetic over the government and this feeling of being completely powerless in impeaching them. Why?

Because as I have stated, I write, blow off my anger, then move on. I seethe, I am filled with angst, but as long as I can vent on the internet, it never ever will reach that boiling point.

I think the government knows that. Counts on that.

So I guess, in a way, I'm nothing more than a self loathing internet protester.

the word seems to be getting out there anyway, despite all the protests that have been going on weekly across America.

The power to break stories the media wont.
The power to raise money easily, in massive quantities from the masses, giving us a say that only the rich and corporations had.
The power to change the very dynamics of what is and is not being debated.

:shrug:

has it taken away the art, if you will, of the real protest?

That's kind of what I'm after here.

But then, hasn't it enabled the organization as well of mass simultaneous targeted protesting?

True, my own experience is that I have gotten bulletins from various groups to meet for protests.

It would be interesting to do more like what the protesters do in Europe. Use test messaging to organize flash mob protests.

To me that would be a very nice combination of the internet and real protests.

I know I've heard Chomsky, as well as other older dissidents/activists, claim that, even though an unprecedented tool with potential, in some aspects, the internet has had negative effects on activism and dissident literature.

People venting their moral indignation online over illegal wars and tip-toe totalitarianism are away from the collective eye, and are easily monitored. Fed up people amassed in the streets in non-violent civil disobedience presents a much more substantive problem to deal with ...or potentially can.

However, I've seen an amazing shift in the public mind in a very short period of time, and with so many turning to the web for alternative info to mainline outlets, that unto itself is not to be dismissed.

Chomsky, always the brilliant mind, puts it much more succinctly than I ever could hope for.

but again as you point out, there has been a very obvious shift of people getting more informed via the internet than via past mediums.

However, again, they are more informed but what does the average person do with this new information?

What will happen is anyone's guess.

I can see the same pattern in myself.

The counter points are this - we have an opportunity to connect in ways we never did before. If you are the only liberal in your job/school/church/whatnot, it should be empowering to come here and realize that you aren't alone.

Also we share ideas; and as we argue and debate our ideas get refined down.

But yeah there's a lot of truth to what you say i think.

Bryant
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